Ahir Community Escalates Protest Against Farhan Akhtar's War Film
The Ahir community has intensified its opposition to Farhan Akhtar's upcoming historical war drama 120 Bahadur, calling for a complete boycott and threatening to file FIRs against the filmmaker. During a panchayat held near the Kherki Daula toll plaza on Sunday, community leaders declared they would prevent the film's theatrical release unless their demands are met.
Panchayat Turns Into Protest Site
Under a makeshift ceremonial tent on the carriageway towards Delhi, community members gathered for what doubled as both a panchayat and dharna. The atmosphere was charged as hookahs and water bottles circulated among men seated cross-legged on mattresses. The protest saw significant police presence with vans, fire engines, and personnel equipped with riot gear monitoring the situation.
Abhayram Yadav, leader of the Mahendragarh Yadav Sabha, set the tone by declaring to enthusiastic applause: "Only the Constitution is supreme in our country, not Farhan Akhtar or the censor board." His statement reflected the community's determination to challenge what they perceive as historical misrepresentation.
Core Demands and Historical Grievances
The protesters, united under the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha banner, contend that the film fails to adequately credit the sacrifice of nearly 120 Ahir soldiers from the 13th Kumaon Regiment. These soldiers defended the strategic mountain pass of Rezang La in Ladakh during the 1962 Indo-China war, with community leaders claiming each Ahir soldier killed at least 20-50 enemy combatants.
Arun Yadav, one of the Morcha's founders, outlined their specific demands: "Until our demands are met, I urge our community to protest using 'Boycott 120 Bahadur' posters." He emphasized that the administration would be responsible if the film releases despite their objections.
The organization plans to approach all MPs and MLAs in districts with significant Ahir population with a representation listing their demands. These include requiring the filmmakers to obtain no-objection certificates from descendants of the Ahir soldiers who fought in the 1962 war and inviting them for special screenings.
Legal Action and Previous Protests
The community has threatened to file FIRs at Kherki Daula and other locations against Farhan Akhtar. Arun Yadav questioned: "Why are they not showing the real facts, and instead doing injustice by promoting a few people and one community?" He alleged that dialogue changes in the recent trailer resulted from pressure applied by the Ahir community.
Major (retired) Dr TC Rao expressed hope that the Supreme Court or High Court would register their petition by Tuesday. This isn't the first protest by the community - on October 27, hundreds had marched 17 kilometers from Kherki Daula toll plaza to the Delhi-Haryana border at Sirhaul.
Abhayram stressed the community's resolve: "We will not let it be released... even if sacrifices may be needed." With the film scheduled for November 21 release and the trailer having launched on November 6, the confrontation appears to be heading toward a critical juncture.
